Factorio Forums

I think it would be useful to be able to increase the range at which our characters can place items. It looks like the range has a base of 6 tiles and it can be a pain to reposition the character just so you can place something on the ground - especially in a clutter part of your factory. Why not allow us to research a few upgrades to item placement range on the tech tree? I don't think the maximum range should be any higher than about 20 tiles (you could use a mod if you wanted to go farther). At a minimum we should be able to get enough tech ranks to double the distance to 12. You could have it add 2 or 3 tiles of range per rank for a few ranks and I would start it with green science so it would be similar to the toolbelt upgrade.

Examples:
6 ranks of +1 tile range per rank, for 12 tile range at maximum
5 ranks of +2 tile range per rank, for 16 tile range at maximum
4 ranks of +3 tile range per rank, for 18 tile range at maximum

I know there is a mod that makes the placement range a huge value, like most of your screen, but I personally think that is a bit much. I also like the idea of needing to research it in stages much like character logistic/trash slots instead of getting it for free with a mod.

Related links:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18176&p=119371
viewtopic.php?f=96&t=18187

Isn't this accomplished by portable roboports and shift clicking?

The Phoenixian wrote:Isn't this accomplished by portable roboports and shift clicking?

He means for the character itself without the help of a portable roboport, I can see this being useful, Portable Roboports will still be relevant if this is added, sine without roboports you won't be able to build multiple items with 1 click, while this only increases reach.

It can be a long time into a game before you get your personal roboport, and even then you may still choose to place items yourself. I just see this a a quality of life feature much like adding the second row to the toolbelt or adding character logistics slots.